Paris (AFP)
No miracle at Gloucester. Montpellier, who needed an improbable combination of circumstances to qualify, fell to Gloucester (29-6) on Saturday, on behalf of the 5th and penultimate day of the European Rugby Cup.
For the fourth consecutive year, the European adventure of the MHR therefore stops at the group stage. On a heavy defeat in England, four tries conceded and a fourth defeat in five continental matches.
It must be said that, with a greatly rejuvenated and overhauled team, without the players summoned by Fabien Galthié to prepare for the Six Nations Tournament (Anthony Bouthier, Gabriel N'Gandebe, Mohammed Haouas, Arthur Vincent) apart from the second line Paul Willemse, entered in play for the last twenty minutes, the Hérault club had no real illusions.
Result, after a first period as dull as closed (7-3 for Gloucester at halftime), the young guard of Montpellier ended up cracking against Cherries and Whites carried by the young Welsh winger Louis Rees-Zammit.
Good last in Pool 5, Montpellier will try to end on a positive note, in a week, with the arrival of the Irish Connacht at GGL Stadium for the last day.
For his part, Gloucester, who grabbed 2nd place with this improved success (14 points), can see the qualification for the best second against Stade Toulouse, unbeaten leader (22 pts).
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